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LEBANESE OIL SLICK

August 1, 2006

UN Warns of Environmental Disaster

While the war rages on, a huge environmental disaster is threatening Lebanon's coast. Up to 35,000 tons of oil have spilled into the Mediterranean following Israeli air strikes -- now it is a race against time to prevent long-term damage and the destruction of a fragile ecosystem.

The Lebanese government is calling it the biggest ecological catastrophe in the country's history. Between July 13 and 15, Israeli jets bombed the Jiyyeh power station, located 30 kilometers south of Beirut, and caused up to 35,000 tons of fuel oil to gush into the sea. The oil slick has now spread along 80 kilometers of Lebanon's 225 kilometer coastline and has already reached Syria. A clean up operation is badly needed, but continuing hostilities between the Israeli army and Hezbollah have made this virtually impossible. Now, the catastrophe is threatening to damage the environment across many parts of the Mediterranean.

The United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) is warning of long-term damage if the oil is not cleaned up as quickly as possible. "Every day that passes will increase the potential damage of this tragic incident," UNEP director Achim Steiner told Reuters.

According to the Lebanese Environment Ministry, the worst may be yet to come. Another tank at the same power plant with around 25,000 tons of fuel is still burning and there is a risk that it could leak or explode. The fire has created a thick cloud of black smoke that has polluted the air over Beirut and its suburbs.

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posted by ... @ 11:34 AM